Life-saver that serves also as a buffer



Aug. 20, 1929. E. LlNTz 1,725,091

LIFE SAVER THAT SERVES ALSO AS A BUFFER Filed April 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l In ten for. L72 ea.: Lzn'z VWM E. LINTZ LIFE SAVER THAT SERVES ALSO AS A BUFFER A Aug. 2o, 1929.

Filed April 16, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In ueni'or.'

Eneas L/ni'z CJI Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ENEAS LINTZ, OF RIO DE JANEIR'O, BRAZIL.

Application filed April 16, 1928, Serial No. 270,554, and irl-Brazil May 11, 1927.

The object ef the present invention is a life-saver characterized by the fact that it serves as a buffer on account of its construction and disposition of its parts, and it may be rapidly turned into a. life-saver or viceversa.

In the drawings, F ig. l is an elevation of my invention applied to a vehicle, and in closed position to form a bumper or buffer.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l but with my device in open position to form a lifesaver.

In order to be clearly understood, the accompanying drawing shows in Fig.. l the fore-part of a motor-car, a designating two holder-bars fixed to the under-frame, having in their ends two other right angled bars Z) each of said bars has one of its arms in vertical position. These bars are intended to support the whole apparatus, the movement proceeding from the main axle c on which axle are fixed arms g/ attached to members (l, Fig. 3, forming a holder j", articulated with the lower arm e, supporting in the fore end thereof the lower part of the buffer.

The upper end of arm c joins with the bar f in L shape, which rotates on the pin g screwed in the upstanding bar b, the other end of bar being connected to the upper arm la. through the articulating bar z'. The arm /L pivots on the pin y' as a support and is intended to open the buifer, which includes a metal plate /c and an angle-iron Z, both fixed at the end of said arm.

The fore-part of the buffer or the lower part of the life-saver is also made of metal plate m, riveted in an angle-iron n, which articulates with the arm c by means of the ears o soldered in said angle-iron. In this part of the apparatus there is structure to articulate the lower plate m by means of the bars p and pins 7', which are provided, in the center, with two wheels s to support the fore part on the ground.

. lations.

The small conductors or guides z and e" are provided to facilitate wrapping the canvas. The lever w, fixed at the end of the axle, is joined to the bar that moves the apparatus by means of a lever mounted in the chauifeurs cabin.

Fig. 2 represents the life-saver opened showing the canvas u unrolled, on which are shown the cross-beams b made of wood, sewed to t-he canvas in order to maintain it spread and in order to give same more strength. In this same figure z2, z3 and a* will be seen the guide-bars intended to facilitate wrapping up the canvas.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the buffer, wrapped up or closed, showing the bars y on the axle c the object of which is to avoid torsion of the axle with the arms d.

Claim:

In combination with a vehicle, a bumper element, folding lever mechanism support-- ing said element which when in folded condition positions the bumper element to perform its bumping function, means for unfolding the lever mechanism to form a life saver and thereby displacing the bumper element, said bumper element comprising a housing supported on one end of the lever mechanism and a sheet of flexible material connected with said housing at one end and at its other end with the opposite end of the foldable lever mechanism and adapted to be folded in said housingwhen the lever mechanism is folded.

EN EAS LINTZ. 

